It’s gotten chilly here in the deep south which is a reminder to make sure we are ready for winter. Although winters here are fairly mild, we still encounter many below freezing days, and once every 10 years or so we have significant snow fall. When it snows more than a dusting here everything shuts down, so no matter where you live you should expect the unexpected.
The best winter survival stories start out with, “The storm of 19...”.
Well… for us it was the storm of 1993, and living in Alabama we really don’t have to worry about snow. HA! In MARCH ( that is spring for those of us in the deep south!) 1993 I was catering a wedding for 300 people. The weatherman said that the storm would be “historic”, the bride said, “…that’s what they always say, the wedding is still on!”
There are several things that can be done to help you stay warm without turning the heat up:
Clothing and Shoes - Putting on a sweater and socks with shoes or slippers helps a lot. Wearing a scarf around your neck, even a narrow one, makes a big difference in staying warm! Good reason to learn how to crochet! ;o)
Window Quilts - I love window quilts, not only for the winter, but also for the summer to help keep the southern sun out; but during the winter they help keep the cold out.
Things to do in your yard before winter:
There are all kinds of things that need to be done to get ready for winter, many things you can assign to your older children.
Making sure that the house is ready for winter can make you more comfortable and save you money in the end.
Here are a few suggestions:
After one of the hottest summers in history here in Alabama we are welcoming the cooler temperatures. Along with those cooler temps we also have to get our home and cars ready to help prevent problems.
In the following list are basic things that need to be checked around the house before those winter winds blow. This is a perfect opportunity to teach your children these important life skills, especially your sons. Let them do as much as possible with you by your side and by the time they are in their teens they should be able to do these chores on their own. What a blessing to a family to have capable young men helping manage a home. Even better, they will become men that can one day manage their own homes well.
